Jaleswar: Thousands of people in the Jaleswar block of Balasore district have been suffering due to the shortcomings in transport infrastructure. Lack of bridges is the main problem. Work on a crucial bridge has been completed after eight years but its approach roads are not yet ready due to land acquisition problems.
Subarnarekha River divides the block into two parts. The people Raibania’s 17 panchayats have to take a 35 km detour to reach Jaleswar across the river.
Jaleswar has a population of 2.80 lakh. Of that 1.10 lakh live in Raibania and most are of tribal origin. During natural disasters like floods and cyclones and the monsoons their problems worsen. Patients needing emergency treatment have a harrowing time in Jaleswar.
Most government offices like the departments of agriculture, horticulture, forests, sub-treasury, BSNL, markets, NESCO, RWSS, lift irrigation, drainage and railway station are on the Jalewsar side. So, trips to Jaleswar is a daily necessity for the people of Raibania.
A wooden bridge was laid across the river due to the efforts of MLA Jaynarayan Mohanty in 2000 and it used to be the only link in the dry season.
MLA Aswini Patra tried to get a permanent bridge in 2005 and its foundation was laid in 2008 during the BJP-BJD government.
Hyderabad-based BVSR Construction was awarded the work on the 370-metre bridge. However, it could not start construction in time due to restrictions imposed for elections. As per the agreement work on the bridge had to commence from March 2, 2009. But it started only on July 1, 2011. The NABARD-funded bridge was estimated to cost Rs 13.16 crore then.
Due to pressure from locals, the MLA and the rural development minister, construction was completed recently, but approach roads have not been laid. Only murram was laid on the road from Agrawal Chhak to Laxmannath Chhak while work on the road on the other side of the river in Gurdaspur has not started.
Land acquisition for the road has been a hurdle in Laxmannath village. The government has so far acquired 21 decimals out of the required 34. In Gurdaspur, 62 decimals are required for the approach road but only two has been acquired.
Rural development department assistant engineer Lamodar Kar said that people are refusing to cooperate in acquiring land.
Executive engineer Tilochan Sahu said the delay in completing the bridge was due to the slow pace of work by the contractor.
MLA Aswini Patra said that after completion of the road the people of Raibania will have a direct transport link to all parts of Balasore and West Midnapore in West Bengal. The bridge will be a lifeline for Jaleswar and Raibania, he added. PNN
